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Five Easy Solar Options for the Home

by
Preston Koerner
—
last modified
Jan 04, 2012 02:13 AM

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by
Preston Koerner
—
last modified
Sep 08, 2010

Perhaps you've seen one of a few micro-inverter-type solar products on the market and wondered whether you could install a solar system at home. Unless you're an electrician, that may or may not be a good idea, but these products (some available now and others coming to market) make it a whole lot easier to get started generating solar energy at home. Check these five: 1. Westinghouse from Akeena Solar Andalay Solar, now Westinghouse Solar, from Akeena Solar is a...

Perhaps you've seen one of a few micro-inverter-type solar products on the market and wondered whether you could install a solar system at home. Unless you're an electrician, that may or may not be a good idea, but these products (some available now and others coming to market) make it a whole lot easier to get started generating solar energy at home. Check these five:

1. Westinghouse from Akeena Solar

Andalay Solar, now Westinghouse Solar, from Akeena Solar is a modular system (with built-in racking, grounding, and wiring) that the company says is ideal for DIYers because it has 80% less parts than other systems and delivers AC power. (Read our prior coverage.)

2. Solar in a Box from Ready Solar

Ready Solar also offers a modular system designed for easy installation. Micro-inverters convert DC to AC at each panel, which can be mounted on a roof or the ground, and Ready Solar ships everything in boxes for roof or ground-mount installation. (Read our prior coverage.)

3. SolarClover from Armageddon Energy

Armageddon Energy makes a SolarClover with a micro-inverter, a simple triangular mounting system, and three solar leaves, if you will. The company hopes to make its SolarClover commercially available by year end, while pre-production systems are available to select customers. (Read our prior coverage.)

4. SunSine AC Module from GreenRay Solar

GreenRay Solar makes a SunSine AC Module that the company calls the "world's first solar appliance." The plug and play system incorporates the PV module, inverter, mounting, and wiring in a single package.

5. Sunfish from Clarian Power

Clarian Power is developing a solar power module, the Sunfish, that plugs into an existing outlet and installs without a dedicated electrical panel. The product, which has a built-in micro-inverter, will not require contractors, installers, or additional wires. (Read our prior coverage.)